NATHAN Cleverly moved to within touching distance of a world title last night after ending Karo Murat’s unbeaten record at the LG Arena in Birmingham.

The 23-year-old Welshman was well on top when Murat was prevented from starting the 10th round by the doctor at ringside, who ruled he was unfit to continue.

In winning the WBO light heavyweight title eliminator, undefeated Cleverly is now due to face Germany’s Juergen Braehmer, who currently holds the world belt.

Cleverly took his own record to 20 wins from 20 and never really looked like losing. He was the more ambitious of the two fighters in the early rounds and although his prediction of a quick knockout didn’t quite materialise, he was more than happy to claim the prized scalp of Iraq-born Murat.

“It all went to plan,” said Cleverly. “I’m destined to be a world champion and that’s what world champions do.

“They remain unbeaten, look exciting and I took that guy apart. However I fought him it was important to get the victory.

“I thought I’d throw a few combinations and upper cuts and I got caught with a few but this is boxing and you’re going to get caught.

“He had power and was strong but he had nothing that was going to knock me out.

“I got a bit careless and reckless at times but it was a great victory for me. You’ve got to earn your way to the top bit by bit and fight better guys and beat them.

“I think I’ve shown I’m world class.”

From the start it was clear Murat hadn’t come to excite. Cleverly had the majority of the crowd on his side and he was treating them to a display of attacking boxing with his trademark hooks and upper cuts getting through Murat’s defence.

But Murat wasn’t going to roll over like several of Cleverly’s previous foes and his stout rearguard was clearly evident early on.

The Welshman’s combination shots and jabs to the body didn’t always have the desired effect and more than once Murat was able to get through with a few of his own punches.

However, this was one of Cleverly’s best performances during his five-year career and Murat, a former European champion himself, was rocked a number of times by Cleverly’s bombs.

The Cefn Fforest fighter won the first three rounds but Murat came back in the fourth. By the middle stages of the contest, however, the bout was beginning to take its toll on him with blood coming from his nose from yet another Cleverly blow.

The fight got a little scrappy in rounds eight and nine and Murat had his moments but when he didn’t come out for the 10th round it was all over.

And Cleverly already has plans for a showdown with Braehmer.

“The next plan is a world title fight in December,” he added. “This fight should have been a world title fight but I’m not too sure what the situation is with Braehmer. If he doesn’t go to prison them I’m fighting him in December.

“It’s getting close and I can feel it within my grasp. It’s what I’m aiming for and I’m not going to let it slip. I’ve come too far to do that.

“I will be world champion, I will remain unbeaten and I will be the next big thing in Great Britain.”